We Are The World Was A Benefit Single For Victims ...

We are the World was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $63 million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries.

On the morning of April 5, 1985 (Good Friday of that year), "We Are the World" received worldwide coverage. At 10:25 am, over 8000 radio stations simultaneously broadcast the song around the world. They played it to show their support for the relief of famine in Ethiopia. The song was also broadcast by Muzak , a company which pipes background music into 110,000 stores and businesses in the US. It was the second time Muzak had played the sound of "human voice", the first being an announcement on the release of American hostages in Iran in 1981. As the song was broadcast, hundreds of people sang along on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The simultaneous radio broadcast of "We Are the World" was repeated again the following Good Friday.

Good Friday reminds us that the real rallying cry for every human is the cross, not a song or some other man-made campaign. Unity begins there, because we all come to the cross sinful and broken in need of forgiveness and healing. It’s been said that there is level ground at the foot of the cross – there, our earthly titles, positions or accomplishments mean nothing. We are all there in need of a Savior. What truly unites us is keeping our eyes fixed on the one who died on that cross and rose again! It is through faith in Him that we become part of His one body, the Church universal.

From a sermon by Mark Opseth, We are One - Part 2 5/30/2012